London -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Brazil stands at a crossroads in its efforts to preserve the Amazon rainforest , as the government considers controversial legislation governing land use .

For most of the last decade it has made a dramatic reduction in the rate of deforestation -- providing a model of how it could be tackled in other rainforest areas such as Indonesia and Congo .

The Amazon rainforest covers a huge area , roughly half as large as the United States , with around 60 % of it in Brazil .

It is estimated that nearly a fifth of the Brazilian forest has been lost since 1970 -- figures from Brazil 's space research institute -LRB- INPE -RRB- show that 4.1 million square kilometers -LRB- 1.58 million square miles -RRB- of Brazilian forest were still standing in 1970 compared to 3.35 million square kilometers -LRB- 1.29 million square miles -RRB- today .

Like many developing nations , there is pressure on the natural environment from commercial and agriculture interests .

According to INPE , in 1995 nearly 30,000 square kilometers -LRB- about 11,550 square miles -RRB- were cleared -- that is an area about the size of Belgium or the U.S. state of Maryland -- but in 2011 the rate of loss had been reduced to just over 6,000 square kilometers -LRB- about 2,400 square miles -RRB- .

Last year saw the lowest annual clearance since yearly INPE surveys began in 1988 and Brazil is aiming to reduce deforestation even further to 3,500 square kilometres annually by 2020 .

See interactive maps of Brazil 's land use

Brazil 's environment ministry credits its success on a combination of support for sustainable activities and near real-time satellite monitoring of forest regions that allows it to target illegal operations with extra agents .

But environmentalists worry that these results -- brought about by efficient use of technology allied with a political will to slow clearing -- could now be put at risk by an overhaul of Brazil 's Forest Code . Protesters say the new code , which could come into effect after a much-delayed crucial vote , reduces protection and weakens enforcement laws .

`` The changes in the new Forest Code will reduce this protection . Combined with the strong presence of ` ruralists ' in the Congress -- congressmen linked to the agri-business sector -- there is good reason to be very concerned for the future of forests in Brazil , '' said Jessica Miller of Greenpeace Brazil .

`` Deforestation in the Amazon has many drivers . Loggers come first to take the most precious timber and finance the building of rough , illegal roads . Then come cattle ranchers , burning what is left and planting grass . Cattle ranching is often used to guarantee the ownership of the area by land grabbers , '' she said .

At present , Brazilian government statistics show that about 30 % of the country 's land is given over to agriculture .

The power of the rural lobby is acknowledged by those close to the Brazilian government but the environmental fears are also rejected .

Luis Antonio Carvalho , special advisor to the Brazilian Environment Minister , Izabella Teixeira , said : `` It is true that the rural caucus representatives have much power , everybody knows that . Much of the GDP comes from the Brazilian agriculture and livestock . It is a sector of great importance for the country .

`` The new proposal includes all the government 's requirements . It sets out regulations to restore the land . It includes components such as social interest , public utilities and low environmental impact .

`` But I think this is the best proposal that can come out for both sides . Environmental groups are concerned , but the rural caucus , on the other hand , are worried too . So it is clear that neither side will be satisfied with any code that the government approves . ''

Carvalho said farmers must keep 80 % of their forested land -- they will only be able to clear 20 % -- and may have to use some of their land for reforestation .

But farmers are worried about the future of their businesses and keen to modernize the existing code , which dates to 1965 .

No-one from the Brazilian farmers ' body , the CNA , which represents 2,300 rural trade unions , was available for comment but the group 's website calls for a balanced approach that safeguards conservation and food production `` because this production depends on the welfare and progress of the Brazilians . ''

Protecting the rainforest has attracted celebrity backing for more than two decades . The pop singer , Sting , and his wife Trudie Styler , set up the Rainforest Foundation in 1989 after seeing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and its impact on indigenous peoples .

Both the Rainforest Foundation and Greenpeace have previously urged Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to use her veto to block the law change .

They are concerned about the threat to the huge range of animals and plants found in the world 's rainforests -- scientists from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity estimate that at least two thirds of all Earth 's terrestrial species are found in tropical forests .

Spring 2012 also marks a significant junction half a world away in Indonesia which has significant forest areas . In May 2010 Norway signed a letter of intent , pledging around $ 1 billion to help Indonesia reduce deforestation . But there have been delays in implementing the plan and Greenpeace says it is not working .

The agreement was designed to help Indonesia with its commitment to the U.N. 's global REDD + program -LRB- Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation -RRB- . It called for the establishment of an `` independent institution for a national monitoring , reporting and verification system , '' a two-year moratorium on all new concessions for forest clearance and enforcement of laws on illegal logging .

Rainforest home to vast treasury of life

Central Kalimantan was chosen as a pilot project -- an area of Indonesia that has seen widespread forest destruction . Studies by South Dakota State University and the environmental think tank , World Resources Institute -LRB- WRI -RRB- , show that the lowlands of Kalimantan and Sumatra have lost more than 40 % of the rainforest cover since 1990 . In the same period , more than 17 % of Indonesia 's total forest area has disappeared .

The studies also show there has been a resurgence in clearing since 2000 , but has not so far reached the levels of the 1990s .

Attempts to halt deforestation in Indonesia are much less advanced than Brazil which started its drive in the 1980s .

Greenpeace says there are major loopholes in the Indonesian moratorium , saying the safeguards are inadequate with no review of existing concessions , and criticizes the lack of a good monitoring system .

`` In short , in our opinion and analysis , the moratorium has not been working well in halting deforestation in Indonesia , '' said Yuyun Indradi , Greenpeace forest campaigner in Indonesia .

`` The land rights issues are also a major problem in forest governance ... creating more and more conflict and human rights violations . It means the existence of indigenous peoples and local peoples are at risk as , currently , the government tends to give more priority to the large scale industries of forestry , plantation and mining , '' he said .

The Indonesia government insists it is committed to REDD + and introducing a host of measures to slow deforestation and reduce emissions . In a keynote environment speech in September 2011 , President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dedicated his remaining three years in office to enhance the forests of Indonesia .

`` We must attain both development and the management of our forest -- simultaneously , '' he said . `` This is because forest management is tightly intertwined with the livelihood of our people , with our food security , with the availability of wood and fuel .

`` Apart from the moratorium , we have built indicative maps that are important to the implementation of REDD + . These maps will also facilitate the resolution of decades-long problems of land use and land tenure . ''

A spokesman for the Indonesian government adds that they are working on the maps and new concessions permits , and to determine the extent of forest damage and how to control it .

But can Indonesia match the progress made by Brazil ? Greenpeace 's Indradi says Brazil 's strong point has been to implement better forest governance , backed up with good monitoring and serious law enforcement .

It is the monitoring issue that is also acknowledged as key by the WRI . `` Reliable monitoring and information are essential for protecting forests , '' said the institute 's Fred Stolle . `` Indonesia recognizes the value of good data and is working to develop such a system .

`` What the world really needs is consistent , real-time deforestation data for all forested countries . ''

Sofia Fernandes contributed to this report

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Brazil has made a dramatic reduction in the rate of deforestation

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Environmentalists worry that its progress could be put at risk by changes to forest law

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Greenpeace is also concerned that Indonesia 's measures to halt deforestation are not working

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The World Resources Institute says the world needs consistent , real-time deforestation data